Cigarette with colored smoke

ABSTRACT

A smoking device is disclosed including an inhalation portion and a combustion portion joined to the inhalation portion. The combustion portion includes a combustible product portion surrounded by a wrapping portion. The combustion portion also includes a colored smoke producing element that produces colored smoke. The color of the smoke produced is communicatively significant, and may correspond to a quality of the smoking device, and/or a characteristic of one smoking the smoking device, and/or an event.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[Not Applicable]

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

[MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE]

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people around the world smoke cigarettes, cigars, nargillas(hookahs), pipes, and other smoking devices. Often, cigarettes and othersmoking devices are smoked by people in groups. For instance, somepeople tend only to smoke in social situations, with other smokersand/or non-smokers, such as when at a bar with friends. Also, manybuildings now either prohibit smoking altogether, or limit the activityto restricted, designated areas. Thus, people who smoke in thosebuildings congregate in the areas where smoking is permitted. Becausemany people who smoke are not allowed to smoke while working, smokersalso tend to smoke at similar times as other smokers, such as on a lunchbreak, or immediately before or after work. These limitations on whereand when people can smoke tends to bring smokers in contact with othersmokers. Because cigarettes or other smoking devices are frequentlysmoked in social situations, it would be useful if the cigarettesthemselves could have socially interactively useful functions.

One object of the present invention is to utilize cigarettes havingcolored smoke to communicate something about either the cigarette beingsmoked or the person smoking the cigarette.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cigarette or other smoking device with colored smoke, substantially asshown in and/or described in connection with at least one of thefigures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention,as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be morefully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cigarette formed inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the cigarette from FIG. 1 afterit has been lighted.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective exploded view of the cigarette fromFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a table illustrating the correspondence, between the color ofsmoke produced by a cigarette and a characteristic of a cigarette,formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating the correspondence, between the color ofsmoke produced by a cigarette and a characteristic of a smoker, formedin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a table illustrating the correspondence, between the color ofsmoke produced by a cigarette and an event, formed in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cigarette 10, and FIG. 2illustrates a perspective view of the cigarette 10 after it has beenlighted. As shown in FIG. 1, the cigarette 10 includes an inhalationportion 20 and a combustion portion 30. The inhalation portion 20includes an inhalation end 22, and the combustion portion 30 includes acombustion end 32.

As shown in FIG. 2, lighting the ignition end 32 of the combustionportion 30 starts the ignition end 32 burning, which gives off smoke 42as a product of combustion. After the ignition end 32 is lit, a smokercan draw smoke through the cigarette 10 and out of the inhalation end22.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the inhalation portion 20 andcombustion portion 30 of the cigarette 10. The inhalation portion 20includes a filter 24 and a filter wrapper 26. The filter 24 is generallycylindrical, and designed to remove potentially harmful materials fromsmoke drawn through the cigarette 10 towards the inhalation end 22. Thefilter wrapper 26 surrounds the filter 24.

The combustion portion 30 of the cigarette 10 includes a tobacco rod 34,cigarette wrapper 36, and a colored smoke producing strip 38. Thetobacco rod 34 is a generally cylindrically formed mass of tobacco,pre-formed before being incorporated in the cigarette 10, and maycontain additional additives other than tobacco. The cigarette wrapper36 surrounds the tobacco rod 34, providing support and/or protection tothe tobacco rod 34, and/or helping to shape the tobacco rod 34 orhelping to maintain the shape of the tobacco rod 34. The colored smokeproducing strip 38 is interposed between the cigarette wrapper 36 andtobacco rod 34, and aligned length-wise with the major axis of thegenerally cylindrical tobacco rod 34. As shown in FIG. 3, the coloredsmoke producing strip 38 may be affixed to the cigarette wrapper 36before the cigarette wrapper 36 is wrapped around the tobacco rod 34.More than one colored smoke producing strip 38 may be used. The tobaccorod 34, cigarette wrapper 36, and colored smoke producing strip 38 areall combustible.

The colored smoke producing strip 38 contains a material that gives offcolored smoke when the colored smoke producing strip 38 is burned. Forexample, known materials that give off colored smoke may be found inproducts such as smoke bombs or fireworks. These materials, or othermaterials to be used, can be adapted (but not necessarily so) for use incigarettes for such considerations as safety, burn rate, ease ofproduction and/or compatibility with other cigarette materials, and anyeffect they may have on taste. As smoke from the cigarette 10 will beingested by the smoker and also distributed to the atmosphere, thematerial used will ideally have no or low toxicity.

Alternatively to a colored smoke producing strip 38 interposed betweenthe tobacco rod 34 and cigarette wrapper 36, the combustion portion 30may include a different type or form of colored smoke producing element.For example, the colored smoke producing element may be formed insmaller, discrete particles mixed into tobacco before the mixture isformed into a tobacco rod. As another example, the colored smokeproducing element may be formed as a spray dispersed along the cigarettewrapper 36, and/or along the tobacco rod 34, and/or around loose tobaccobefore it is incorporated into the combustion portion 30. As a stillfurther example, the colored smoke producing element can be anintegrated part of the cigarette wrapper 36. Further detail andadditional examples may be found in co-pending application “ColoredSmoke Module for Cigarette,” Ser. No. ______, which application ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

After the cigarette 10 is lit, the colored smoke producing strip 38exudes colored smoke as it burns. Because the tobacco rod 34 andcigarette wrapper 36 are also burning, the color of all the smoke 42leaving the cigarette 10 may be different from that produced solely bythe colored smoke producing strip 38. Thus, to achieve a specified colorof smoke for the smoke 42, the colored smoke producing strip 38 providesa more intense shade of that particular color when burning alone.Because smoke inhaled by a smoker passes through the filter 24, thesmoke later exhaled by the smoker may or may not be the same shade orcolor as the smoke 42 exuding from the ignition end 32 of the cigarette10.

As an example of another alternative, a cigarette may be used thatutilizes a single wrapping device for the entire cigarette. For such acigarette, a single wrapper forms both the filter wrapper and cigarettewrapper. Additionally, the tobacco may come in a loose form, instead ofas a pre-formed tobacco rod. Further, the inhalation portion may besubstantially identically formed as the combustion portion and not havea filter.

Instead of using a cigarette that produces colored smoke, additionalalternative embodiments of the present invention include a differenttype of smoking device. For example, instead of a cigarette, the smokingdevice producing colored smoke could be a cigar, cigarillo, nargillo(hookah), or pipe. The colored smoke producing element for such devicesmay take the form, for example, of powder, drops, tablets, or capsules.For a smoking device such as a cigar, the overall construction would bein many respects similar to that of a filterless cigarette described inthe preceding paragraph. Other smoking devices would have differentconstructions. For example, one embodiment of the present inventionutilizes a pipe having an inhalation portion including a mouthpiece anda combustion portion including a bowl into which tobacco is placed. Theinhalation portion and combustion portion are operatively joined by atube interposed between the mouthpiece and bowl. Thus, the operativelyjoined inhalation portion and combustion portion may be directlyconnected, or may instead have additional components located betweenthem.

Additional embodiments of the present invention include a smoking deviceincluding a colored smoke producing element that adds color to smokethat passes by the colored smoke producing element, instead of requiringthe colored smoke producing element to be burned. In these embodiments,the smoke exuding from the burning end of the smoking device is notcolored, but smoke exhaled by the smoker is. In such embodiments, smokebeing drawn through the inhalation portion of a smoking device has coloradded to it before it is inhaled by a smoker. For example, oneembodiment includes a colored smoke producing element adapted to beincorporated into the filter of a cigarette. As smoke is drawn throughthe filter the smoke becomes colored. In another embodiment, a coloredsmoke producing element is interposed between the combustion portion andinhalation portion of a cigarette. In this embodiment, as the smokerinhales, the smoke is first drawn through the colored smoke producingelement and then through the filter.

The color of the smoke can be used for communication or identificationpurposes. For example, the color of the smoke can correspond to thebrand of cigarette, or correspond to another quality of the cigarette.FIG. 4 is a table illustrating the correspondence between the color ofsmoke produced by a cigarette and a characteristic of a cigarette for anembodiment of the present invention. For the embodiment of FIG. 4, thecharacteristic of the cigarette is its brand. The color A of smokeproduced corresponds to a brand AA of a cigarette, the color B of smokeproduced corresponds to a brand BB of a cigarette, and so on. Inaddition to corresponding to the brand of cigarette, the color of thesmoke may also be coordinated with the color of the cigarette packagingfor further brand identification. Thus, the color A could be red for abrand AA that has red packaging, the color B could be blue for a brandBB that has blue packaging, and so on.

In addition to identifying the brand of cigarette, the color of thesmoke may also be coordinated with the color of the cigarette packagingfor further brand identification. As additional examples, the color ofthe smoke may identify another quality of the cigarette, such as thesize and/or the flavor. For instance, a smoke color may be used todifferentiate a manufacturer's menthol cigarette from other cigarettes.This provides a convenient way for one smoker to determine if anothersmoker smokes the same brand, type, or variant of cigarette. This canserve as a conversation starter, or a way for smokers to know whom toborrow a cigarette from if they run out. Alternatively, the color of thesmoke may correspond to a chemical property of cigarette, such asnicotine and/or tar-level. Also, different colors of smoke could be usedfor varieties such as regular, light, and ultra-light cigarettes.

Further, the presence of colored smoke may exist only for a portion ofthe combustion portion 30, or the intensity of the smoke color producedmay vary along the length of the combustion portion 30. This isaccomplished in one embodiment by positioning the colored smokeproducing strip 38 (or different type of smoke producing element) onlyalong a portion of the length of the combustion portion 30 and/orvarying the construction, composition, or density of the colored smokeproducing strip 38 (or different type of smoke producing element) alongthe length of the combustion portion 30. This variance could be used tosignify something about an individual cigarette—such as whether it hasjust been lighted, or whether it is close to going out. For example, thepresence of color may exist only when the cigarette 10 is close toburning out, or the color of smoke may intensify when the combustionportion 30 is close to being entirely consumed. Thus, if a smoker placedthe cigarette 10 in an ash tray While it was lit, with the intention ofsmoking it a little bit more before it was extinguished, the additionand/or change of shade of colored smoke could alert the smoker that thecigarette 10 is nearly consumed. This could prevent the irritation,expense, inconvenience, and increased sidestream smoke in theenvironment caused by having to light a new cigarette if the smoker onlywanted to take a few more puffs.

The color of the smoke may also correspond to characteristics ofindividual smokers or groups of smokers. This can make it easier toidentify social characteristics of others in a group setting. As oneexample, the color of smoke may be used to identify whether one ismarried or single. The color of smoke could also correspond to whetherone is open to meeting someone new at a given time, or if one wouldprefer not to meet someone new. This can reduce any unwelcome advancesand alleviate any awkwardness caused by such circumstances. Color ofsmoke could also be used to indicate one's sexual orientation. Furtherpossible alternatives include the color of smoke corresponding to one'sage, or to one's profession. In another embodiment, the color of thesmoke corresponds to one's residency, with different colors of smokedenoting different areas of citizenship, either by country or part ofcountry, by state, by city, or by other geographic and/or governmentalunit. Further possible alternatives include cigarettes with smoke colorsassociated with religious affiliation, or with ethnicity or culturalbackground.

As another example, the characteristic of the smoker that the smokecolor corresponds to may be an athletic team that the smoker supports.For instance, if a team wears green uniforms, or has an official colorof green, cigarettes that give off green smoke could be used by smokerswho were fans of the team. Similarly, the cigarette smoke couldcorrespond to a specific university or college, or a team that plays fora university or college.

FIG. 5 is a table providing an example of an embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the color of smoke produced by a cigarette correspondsto a characteristic of a smoker. For the embodiment of FIG. 5, thecharacteristic of the smoker is an athletic team the smoker supports.The color A of smoke produced corresponds to a team M, the color B ofsmoke produced corresponds to a team BB, and so on. In addition tocorresponding to a team, the color of the smoke may also be coordinatedwith the color of the team's uniforms. Thus, the color A could be redfor a team AA that has red uniforms, the color B could be blue for ateam BB that has blue uniforms, and so on.

Another example of characteristic of smoker that the color of smokecould correspond to is political affiliation. For example, in the UnitedStates, blue has come to be associated with the Democratic Party, andred has come to be associated with the Republican Party. During apolitical campaign, cigarettes giving off red smoke could be used toidentify smokers who were Republicans, while cigarettes giving off bluesmoke could be used to identify smokers who were Democrats.

The color of smoke may also correspond to or be related to a social orother external event. The event may be a political event, for instance,such as a political convention, or an election. Similarly, the color ofsmoke could relate to a specific sporting event, such as a championshipgame. As yet another example, the color of smoke could relate to aspecific holiday, such as red and blue for Independence Day, or greenfor St. Patrick's Day. FIG. 6 is a table providing an example of anembodiment of the present invention wherein the color of smoke producedby a cigarette corresponds to an event. For the embodiment of FIG. 6,the event is a holiday. The color A of smoke produced corresponds to aholiday AA, the color B of smoke produced corresponds to a holiday BB,and so on. In addition to corresponding to a holiday, the color of thesmoke may also be coordinated with a color associated with the holiday.Thus, the color A could be green for holiday AA of St. Patrick's Day,the color B could be orange for holiday BB that was Halloween, and soon. Further, multiple colors could correspond to a single holiday, suchas orange and black for Halloween, or red and blue for Independence Day,for example.

By virtue of the color of the smoke corresponding or relating to, forexample, a cigarette characteristic, a personal characteristic of asmoker, or a social event, the smoke color is communicativelysignificant. The smoke color communicates something about the smoker,the cigarette, or both, to others. One or more colors could be used tocorrespond to a quality, characteristic, or event. The relationshipbetween the smoke color and that which it corresponds to may be based onan association previously established outside of the context ofcigarette smoke (such as green smoke corresponding to a sports team withgreen uniforms), or may not be (such as a color assigned to representmarital status, or, as another example, using a color other than theuniform color to correspond to a sports team). Additionally, there maybe overlap between, for example, the correspondence of smoke color tocharacteristics of smokers and to an event (such as during internationalsporting events like the Olympics or World Cup soccer, smoke color couldcorrespond to characteristics of smokers such as country of citizenshipas well a team they root for, and also correspond to the sporting eventor tournament). Also, many colors of smoke may be used as part of asystem where each color corresponds to a different characteristic orevent in some embodiments of the present invention, whereas only onecolor of smoke may be provided in other embodiments.

The use of colored smoke can serve as an ice-breaker during a socialsituation, either by someone identifying the smoke color as indicating apotential topic of conversation; or by encouraging a question fromsomeone who wants to know what that particular color signifies. It mayalso serve other purposes, for example, by identifying smokers of thesame brand to each other, or identifying people with similar intereststo each other, or identifying when a cigarette is about to burn out.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiments disclosed, but that the present inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A smoking device comprising: an inhalation portion; a combustionportion operatively joined to said inhalation portion; and, a coloredsmoke producing element located proximally to at least one of saidcombustion portion and said inhalation portion, said colored smokeproducing element being adapted to produce a communicatively significantcolor of smoke when said smoking device is used to smoke a combustibleproduct.
 2. The smoking device of claim 1 wherein said inhalationportion comprises a filter surrounded by a filter wrapper, saidcombustion portion comprising a wrapping portion surrounding saidcombustible product portion, said combustible product portion comprisesa tobacco rod, and said colored smoke producing element comprises acolored smoke producing strip interposed between said combustibleproduct portion and said wrapping portion.
 3. The smoking device ofclaim 1 wherein said color of smoke produced by said colored smokeproducing element corresponds to the brand of said smoking device. 4.The smoking device of claim 1 wherein said color of smoke produced bysaid colored smoke producing element corresponds to the variant of saidsmoking device.
 5. The smoking device of claim 1 wherein said color ofsmoke produced by said colored smoke producing element corresponds to achemical property of said smoking device.
 6. The smoking device of claim1 wherein said color of smoke produced by said colored smoke producingelement varies along at least a portion of the length of said combustionportion.
 7. The smoking device of claim 1 wherein said smoke producingelement resides only along a portion of the length of the combustionportion.
 8. A cigarette comprising: an inhalation portion; and acombustion portion operatively joined to said inhalation portion, saidcombustion portion comprising a combustible product portion surroundedby a wrapping portion, at least one of said combustion portion and saidwrapping portion comprising a colored smoke producing element that whenburned produces a color of smoke corresponding to a characteristic ofone smoking said cigarette.
 9. The cigarette of claim 8 where said colorof smoke produced by said colored smoke producing element corresponds tomarital status of one smoking said cigarette.
 10. The cigarette of claim8 where said color of smoke produced by said colored smoke producingelement corresponds to the interest level of meeting new people of onesmoking said cigarette.
 11. The cigarette of claim 8 where said color ofsmoke produced by said colored smoke producing element corresponds tothe sexual orientation of one smoking said cigarette.
 12. The cigaretteof claim 8 where said color of smoke produced by said colored smokeproducing element corresponds to the age of one smoking said cigarette.13. The cigarette of claim 8 where said color of smoke produced by saidcolored smoke producing element corresponds to the profession of onesmoking said cigarette.
 14. The cigarette of claim 8 where said color ofsmoke produced by said colored smoke producing element corresponds tothe residency of one smoking said cigarette.
 15. The cigarette of claim8 where said color of smoke produced by said colored smoke producingelement corresponds to an athletic team supported by one smoking saidcigarette.
 16. The cigarette of claim 8 where said color of smokeproduced by said colored smoke producing element corresponds topolitical affiliation of one smoking said cigarette.
 17. A cigarettecomprising: an inhalation portion; and a combustion portion joined tosaid inhalation portion, said combustion portion comprising acombustible product portion surrounded by a wrapping portion, at leastone of said combustion portion and said wrapping portion comprising acolored smoke producing element that when burned produces a color ofsmoke corresponding to an event.
 18. The cigarette of claim 17 wheresaid event is a political campaign.
 19. The cigarette of claim 17 wheresaid event is a sporting event.
 20. The cigarette of claim 17 where saidevent is a holiday.